TRANSFORMATIVE CONNECTIONS: EXAMINING SUPPLY CHAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORK STRUCTURE CHANGES IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Abstract

This dissertation consists of two essays that conceptually and empirically investigate how supply chain relationships and network structures evolve in response to external challenges. The rapidly changing global landscape, characterized by geopolitical tensions and crises, highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to understanding supply chain management. The two essays explore distinct facets of supply chain management, employing different theoretical frameworks, research methods, and datasets. In Essay One, I focus on the challenges posed by uncertainty and asymmetric information in supply chain management. Drawing on Information Processing Theory (IPT), I conceptually and empirically disentangle these challenges and explore how firms implement bridging and buffering strategies to navigate them. A systematic literature review of supply chain response strategies reveals conflicting findings regarding the impacts of uncertainty and asymmetric information. Through two studies, using primary and secondary data, I provide cross-validated research findings that clarify the unique effects of these challenges on response strategies. This enriches the current understanding of how firms adapt to external disruptions and offers practical guidance for managing uncertainty and information asymmetry. While Essay One focuses on specific strategies for addressing external challenges, Essay Two shifts to a broader perspective, exploring the strategic objectives of supply chain management. In Essay Two, I utilize Panarchy Theory from ecology to examine how external shocks, such as geopolitical conflicts, influence the strategic objectives - efficiency and flexibility - in supply chain management. Leveraging data from the FactSet Revere Supply Chain Relationship and Compustat databases, I analyze the dynamics of supply chain networks, focusing on the interplay between potential and connectedness. By viewing supply chains through the lens of social-ecological systems and their adaptive cycles, I develop actionable strategies for building sustainable supply chains in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable global environment. Together, these essays provide a multifaceted perspective on supply chain management, offering theoretical advancements and practical strategies for navigating external challenges. By integrating insights from Information Processing Theory and Panarchy Theory, this dissertation contributes to the broader discourse on strategic decision-making, equipping firms to thrive in complex and uncertain environments.